Manchester Museum announces Anita Sethi as first Writer-in-Residence

08 Mar 2022

Anita is an award-winning writer and broadcaster whose acclaimed book l ‘I Belong Here: A Journey along the Backbone of Britain’ blends memoir, nature writing and current affairs, the paperback edition for which is published this spring

As part of the year-long residency, Anita will draw of the museum’s collections for inspiration, write, collaborate and teach.

A series of free workshops will offer attendees opportunities to develop their creative writing skills. One of the first workshops will focus on the links between writing and wellbeing and Anita says this is particularly important to her following a serious accident in Iceland earlier this year.

News of Anita’s appointment comes on International Women’s Day, which is fitting for a woman who grew up on the same street as feminist campaigners Sylvia and Christabel Pankhurst in Old Trafford, Manchester, and often explores feminist history and themes of belonging in her writing.

Manchester Museum is currently undergoing a £15million transformation to become more inclusive, caring and imaginative and this project is led by Esme Ward, the Museum’s first ever female Director.  One of the new galleries coming to the Museum in February 2023 is a Belonging Gallery, which will explore how we come to know belonging through relationships, everyday objects, places, human movement, and actions – and this is a theme Anita explores in her work.

Anita Sethi, Author and Writer-in-Residence said: “I’m overjoyed to be appointed Writer-in-Residence for Manchester Museum – it feels like a match made in heaven. The Museum is rich in history and I’m eager to delve into the fascinating objects here, all of which tell a story. As well as making the most of the setting, I’m looking forward to working alongside inspiring women.

“On a personal level, this feels like a real moment of revival. I was in a serious accident at the start of this year when I was walking in Iceland. I was in shock following the ordeal and had a broken right arm – the limb which is my livelihood - making the process of writing extremely challenging. But my work and words have brought me back from the brink and as I begin this residency in my hometown, the great city of Manchester, I’m more passionate than ever about the connection between writing, nature, healing and wellbeing.”

Esme Ward, Director of Manchester Museum added: “We’re honoured to welcome Anita Sethi to Manchester Museum. She is a true storyteller whose work explores important themes of womanhood, resilience, nature, place and belonging, as well as the more toxic elements of society like racism, hate and inequality.

“Being based in the museum means Anita can take inspiration from the extraordinary collections and displays, and also engage with our communities, staff and co-workers. We’re excited to see the work she produces here.”

Further information:

• For more on Anita’s work, visit www.anitasethi.com
• Anita has a foundation that aims to get books to those who don’t have easy access to them